Geological Sciences
Computer Services
&
Information
Fall 2006-Spring 2007
by:
Darrell Sandiford
Geological Sciences Computer Services
This guide has been prepared to assist the Geological Sciences Department at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a work in progress. We hope you find it useful and informative. Direct suggestions for changes and updates to Darrell Sandiford: (dsandif@email.unc.edu).
AntiVirus software
The campus has an agreement with Symantec Corp. for Norton Antivirus.As mentioned earlier, you may install the software for free on both your home and office computer as long as you remain affiliated with the university. See shareware.unc.edu/nav for details. Both Mac and PC versions are available. Since new viruses are discovered every week, it is important to keep your software up to date. Updates are available from the URL listed above.
Virus hoaxes often circulate via email.At www.svmantec.com/avcenter. Symantec maintains a regularly updated list of viruses and hoaxes. You can also go to Hoaxbusters, (http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/) or Trend-Micro.com, (http://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/) for up-to-date info as well.
AV Use & Support
Contact Darrell ( dsandif@email.unc.edu ) to check-out or reserve projectors and other AV equipment for class use or for help with audio-visual equipment available within the department. ATN/ITS also provides help and services for the teaching classes and/or labs located in Mitchell Hall(Rooms 09, 05, 305 and 205) via their hotline: 962-6702.
Computer Labs
The department maintains a computer lab located in room 110 to assist students with their class work and research. In addition to this departmental lab, several campus computer labs are available. See http://www.unc.edu/atn/labs/ for details. Please read and follow lab rules.
Computer Lab (Rm. 110)
2 Printers (Hp lj 4200(B/W), Hp lj 3550(Color)
8 PCs (Windows XP Pro)
2 scanners
The PCs in the Computer Lab are set up to access the AFS space, and have access to (PC versions of) many of the central software programs, (i.e., ArcGIS, R, ArcInfo, etc…) available on the main campus central server. Use your ONYEN to access these machines.
See Software.
Teaching Lab 07 A
12 iMacs
The teaching lab is used regularly during both semesters and the summer for labs related to Introductory Geology and other classes.
Computer Mapping Lab, Room 222
3 Sun. Workstations
HP 36" DesignJet Plotter 455CA
1 Sun Ultra 1, 2 Sun Ultra 60
HP Laserjet Printer 4200(B/W)
To create an email account, go to https://onyen.unc.edu/cgi-bin/unc_id/services and follow the link labeled "Create your ONYEN". A PID number is required.
Those who are new to email need to remember a couple of points. First, email is not truly private. Check the ATN user agreement for details (http://help.unc.edu/?id=1677&&within=search--1553366806) or go to "help.unc.edu" and do a search on "Policy on the Privacy of Electronic Information". Essentially, since messages are being composed on university systems and sent using university equipment, ATN/ITS employees can read them if the occasion requires. Second, messages can be easily forwarded. Don't send anything that would be embarrassing if it were forwarded to, for example, the person it is about. Checking email can be accomplished with any of a number of email clients. ATN/ITS recommends, supports and encourages the preferred use of Mulberry, Mozillas Thunderbird, Microsoft Outlook (full version), Webmail and Pine. Email applications that are not supported by ATN/ITS in the department are Eudora, Siren and Outlook Express. You may use these but you will do so at your own risk. I will do my best to help and support these mail clients but please be aware that these programs and their issues will be treated as Specialized Applications or Non-University sanctioned software which may require more time to trouble shoot and resolve. Your email account includes a modest amount of web space, and you may also put up a personal home page. See help.unc.edu for details.
Equipment
In addition to the equipment described in the Computer Labs section , there is also a slide maker, slide scanner, and color plotter all located in room 222. The department has another plotter available which belongs to Dr. Mike Oskin. If you wish to use his plotter, you will need to make arrangements with him.
Student printers are located in the following rooms: 222 (B/W) and
110 (B/W & color). Printer paper will be supplied for the printers in the Computer lab upon request. Outside of that, you will be responsible for maintaining your own paper and printing supplies.
File storage
Students may request an account on the departmental file server, Achilles. Achilles is accessible from both PCs and Macs. Each account includes a personal folder, accessible only by the user. Students are encouraged to store their files in their folder or on their office machines. If you wish to have an account on Achilles, please send an email to Darrell at dsandif@email.unc.edu
Games
Computer games are discouraged. Do not install games on lab machines. Games found on lab machines will be deleted. Do not store music files on lab machines either. If you feel a need to indulge, do so on your office or personal machine so as not to interfere with the work of others. If you install games on your office machine, put them in a folder titled "Games" so that they can be easily found and deleted if space becomes a problem.
Laptops
The department has a few older laptops available for field work or emergencies.
List Server
Several email lists are available in the department. Contact the department manager (Pat Bigelow) or Yvette for details. Normally, you will be automatically added to the appropriate lists when you join the department. Many departmental announcements are sent only via the list server.
In addition to providing a way to distribute information quickly, the list server can also function as a discussion group. To facilitate this aspect, replies to email messages from the list server can easily be sent to the entire list. Please use caution when replying to list server messages. Consider whether your response is appropriate and intended for the entire group or for just the sender of the message. Check to be certain that the address is correct before sending. Be warned also that when you join any list server and/or forum group, you increase the potential of opening yourself up to unwanted electronic solicitations (Spam) and possible spyware.
Office Computers
Graduate students may request a computer in his or her office for email and word processing. Most if not all the pcs provided are older computers, usually Pentium IIIs. Macs are no longer provided for personal use. If you wish to have a mac for your computer needs, you will need to purchase one either at student stores or at the Apple store in the mall. If you request a pc, please allow 1 to 2 days for setup and delivery. Keep in mind that this is done as a courtesy. If you desire a newer, up to date pc, you will need to speak to your PI.
Old Software
The department maintains a few older computers, including a Mac SE, Mac si, Mac Quadra, and an IBM PS2 PC (Windows 3.1,486-50) for those occasions when an older software package may not run properly or run too fast on newer hardware.
Paper
Paper for the printers is stored in the department office, Room 107. See Wendy Dale (Room 107) for details. Do not use the copier paper from Room 110 in the photo copier! It is significantly more expensive.
Scanning
Scanning: Room 222
The slide and document scanners are connected to an IBM Net vista. If for any reason the the scanner or the pc are off, make sure the scanner is turned on first, then reboot the computer. Directions for how to use the scanners are located in the blue notebook on the shelf right above the scanners.
Software
The University has a number of agreements with various software vendors, resulting in free or reduced cost software licenses. As such, applications like Norton Antivirus are free and can be installed on both your home and office computer for as long as you are associated with the University. Several Microsoft products are also free. See shareware.unc.edu. www.unc.edu/microsoft. , help.unc.edu/software and Software Acquisition, (http://www.unc.edu/atn/software/) for details.
In addition, the University has campus licenses for software packages available through the AFS space. These are mainly scientific and statistical packages. See help. unc. edu/scientific. help. unc. edu/statistical. and help.unc.edu/GIS for details. When ordering all software, please go through Wendy Dale to place your orders. Please do not ask me to put licensed software on personal machines as this is a violation of the universities software application policies.